Light fixtures having decorative ornaments and methods for mounting decorative ornaments

Abstract

Arrangements and methods for mounting decorative ornaments and fixtures having decorative ornaments are disclosed. The decorative ornaments may be, for example, beads, crystals, or gems. In one aspect, an arrangement is provided including a frame having an aperture and at least one ornament mounting post projecting from the frame, wherein the ornament is retained by the mounting post when the ornament is mounted on the mounting post. The ornament is mounted to the post by first deflecting the post to a first position, mounting the ornament, and then deflecting the post to its original position whereby the ornament is retained by the post and the aperture. In one aspect, ornaments may be mounted to apertures in a frame by means of one or more wires, for example, a wire passing through a plurality of ornaments. The arrangements and methods may be used for ornamental fixtures, for example, chandeliers and lamps.

1. A method for mounting a plurality of perforated decorative ornaments to a frame having a plurality of apertures, the apertures having an internal surface, the method comprising:
 positioning the plurality of ornaments in the plurality of apertures on a first side of the frame wherein the ornament perforations are accessible from a second side of the frame, opposite the first side; 
 passing at least one elongated element through a plurality of the ornament perforations on the second side of the frame; and 
 retaining each of the plurality of ornaments in one of the plurality of apertures by means of the at least one elongated element and the internal surface of the apertures. 
 
   
   
     2. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongated element comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the method further comprises, after passing the at least one elongated element through the plurality of ornament perforations, attaching the first end to the second end. 
   
   
     3. The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein attaching comprises one of twisting together and fusing. 
   
   
     4. The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the method further comprises attaching the attached ends to the frame. 
   
   
     5. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises retaining the ornament in the aperture by means of contact with an adjacent ornament. 
   
   
     6. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein passing at least one elongated element comprises passing one wire. 
   
   
     7. A light fixture having decorative ornaments, the light fixture comprising:
 a frame having a plurality of apertures; 
 a plurality of ornaments mounted in the plurality of apertures; 
 at least one mounting post mounted to the frame, the at least one mounting post having a first end mounted to the frame and a second free end adapted for insertion through at least one perforation of the plurality of ornaments; and 
 a light adapted to illuminate at least some of the plurality of ornaments; 
 wherein the ornaments are retained in the plurality of apertures by the at least one mounting post in a predetermined orientation wherein an axis of each ornament is substantially perpendicular to the mounting post. 
 
   
   
     8. The light fixture as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the frame comprises a substantially flat frame, a substantially cylindrical frame, curved frame, a spherical frame, a pyramidal frame, and a polyhedral frame. 
   
   
     9. The light fixture as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the light fixture comprises a recessed light fixture. 
   
   
     10. The light fixture as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the light fixture comprises one of a chandelier, a lamp, a spot light, and a wall sconce. 
   
   
     11. The light fixture as recited in  claim 7  wherein the light fixture comprises an aimable light fixture. 
   
   
     12. A method for mounting a plurality of perforated decorative ornaments to a frame having a plurality of apertures, the apertures having an internal surface, the method comprising:
 mounting a plurality of mounting posts to the frame wherein each mounting post comprises a first end mounted to the frame and a second free end, and wherein each of the plurality of mounting posts projects over at least one of the plurality of apertures; 
 mounting at least one of the perforated decorative ornaments to at least one of the plurality of mounting posts by means of a perforation; and 
 retaining at least one of the perforated decorative ornaments in each of the apertures by means of the at least one mounting post and at least one of the internal surfaces of the apertures. 
 
   
   
     13. The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein mounting at least one of the perforated decorative ornaments comprises:
 deflecting at least one of the plurality of mounting posts from a first position to a second position; 
 mounting at least one of the perforated decorative ornaments to at least one of the mounting posts in the second position; and 
 deflecting the at least one of the mounting posts having the ornament to the first position. 
 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of apertures define a surface, and wherein in the first position of the plurality of mounting posts is substantially parallel to the surface and wherein in the second position of the plurality of mounting posts is substantially non-parallel to the surface. 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein deflecting at least one of the plurality of mounting posts from a first position to a second position comprises deflecting the at least one of the plurality of mounting posts whereby the at least one of the plurality of mounting posts makes an angle of at least 5 degrees with the surface. 
   
   
     16. The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein mounting a plurality of mounting posts comprises one of welding and gluing the plurality of mounting posts. 
   
   
     17. The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the mounting posts comprise one of metallic and non-metallic filaments. 
   
   
     18. The light fixture as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one mounting post comprises one of at least one wire and at least one pin. 
   
   
     19. The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein mounting a plurality of mounting posts comprises mounting one of a plurality of wires and a plurality of pins. 
   
   
     20. The light fixture as recited in  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of ornaments is retained in each of the plurality of apertures in the frame. 
   
   
     21. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongated element comprises at least one of a wire, a rod, a pin, a string, and a cord. 
   
   
     22. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein positioning the plurality of ornaments in the plurality of apertures comprises positioning at most one ornament in each of the plurality of apertures. 
   
   
     23. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein passing at least one elongated element through a plurality of the ornament perforations comprises passing a plurality of elongated elements. 
   
   
     24. A light fixture having decorative ornaments, the light fixture comprising:
 a frame having a plurality of apertures, the frame comprising a planar frame suspended by at least one elongated element; 
 a plurality of ornaments mounted in the plurality of apertures; 
 at least one mounting post mounted to the frame adapted for insertion through at least one perforation of the plurality of ornaments; 
 wherein the ornaments are retained in the plurality of apertures by the at least one mounting post in a predetermined orientation substantially perpendicular to the mounting post; and 
 a light adapted to illuminate at least some of the plurality of ornaments. 
 
   
   
     25. The light fixture as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the at least one elongated element comprises at least one of a chain, a cord, a rope, a wire, a string, a post, and a rod. 
   
   
     26. The light fixture as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the at least one elongated element comprises at least one ball chain. 
   
   
     27. The light fixture as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the light fixture comprises a recessed light fixture. 
   
   
     28. The light fixture as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the light fixture comprises one of a chandelier, a lamp, a spot light, and a wall sconce. 
   
   
     29. The light fixture as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the light fixture comprises an aimable light fixture. 
   
   
     30. The light fixture as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the at least one mounting post comprises one of at least one wire and at least one pin. 
   
   
     31. The light fixture as recited in  claim 24 , wherein each of the plurality of ornaments is retained in each of the plurality of apertures in the frame.